Page 125 of The Pakhans’ Curvy Prize

Hours later, after the last guests have finally left and the estate has quieted, the four of us end up in the enormous hot tub on the private terrace overlooking the grounds.

Steam rises into the cold night air as I sink into the water between them, exhaustion and relief settling around us for the first time in months.

"I need to tell you something," Alex says quietly.

I turn to look at him, my heart skipping slightly at his tone. "What?"

"About the mayor. And his son."

The mention of Zach makes my stomach tighten, but Alex's expression is calm, almost satisfied.

"The mayor's resignation wasn't random," he continues. "I spent three months systematically dismantling him. I uncovered every betrayal he'd committed against the families he was supposed to be protecting. I leaked evidence to the right people, made sure his corruption became impossible to ignore."

This isn’t something new, and I have the feeling he's building up to what he really wants to say. "And Zach?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I manipulated the fight circuit to pull him directly into a trap. He thought he was building a reputation. He had no idea every fight was designed to lead him to me." Alex's jaw tightens. "The mayor and Zach were behind Sharon's kidnapping. It was intimidation, not ransom. They wanted to scare you into running."

"So they're..." I can't finish the sentence.

"Gone," Alex says simply. "Both of them. The danger hanging over our lives is finally over."

The words settle over me like a blanket, warm and heavy. It's over. It's actually over.

"I love you," Russ says suddenly, breaking the silence. He's looking at me with an expression so open and vulnerable it makes my chest ache. "I'm not good at this shit, but I need you to know. I love you, Marla."

"I love you too," I whisper.

Nick shifts closer, his hand finding mine beneath the water. "I love you," he says quietly, but the words carry no less weight. "I didn't think I was capable of feeling this way about anyone. But I do. I love you."

"I love you," I tell him, my voice breaking.

Alex cups my face in both hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears on my cheeks. He stares at me like he's memorizing every detail, every feature. "I love you," he says, his voice rough. "More than I thought possible."

"I love you too," I say. "All of you. So much."

We stay in the hot tub until the water starts to cool, wrapped around each other, talking quietly about nothing and everything. Eventually, we move inside to the massive bedroom, our bodies exhausted but our hearts full.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I watch as snow begins to fall softly over the estate, blanketing everything in white. For the first time in my life, I feel completely safe. And completely loved. I know our child won't have the uncertain and unloved life that I had, and I couldn't ask for anything more. I close my eyes and fall asleep with a smile on my face, wrapped in the lovely cocoon of my husbands.

53

EPILOGUE

Marla

Snow falls softly across the estate in the middle of the night, coating everything in pristine white silence. I wake to the first contraction at three in the morning, my hand instinctively moving to my swollen belly as the tightening sensation spreads across my abdomen and lower back.

For a moment, I lie still in the darkness, listening to the steady breathing of the three men sleeping around me. The second contraction hits harder than the first, and I can't stop the small gasp that escapes my lips.

All three men are awake instantly.

"Marla?" Russ's voice is rough with sleep and immediate concern. "What's wrong?"

"I think..." Another contraction steals my breath. "I think it's time."

The room explodes into chaos. Russ is practically out of bed before I finish speaking, pulling on jeans and barking orders at someone through his phone. Nick moves with surprising control, although his expression gives away some of his panic. He's already dressed and checking his watch to time the contractions. Alex disappears into the hallway, his voice calm and steady as he contacts the family physicians.

"How far apart?" Nick asks, his green eyes focused entirely on me.